A Complete Guide to the Best Law Colleges in India

February 18, 2025
best law colleges in india

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Law is a respected profession, especially in a democratic country like India, where constant legal reforms create a high demand for qualified lawyers. Pursuing law at the best law colleges in India opens the door to diverse career opportunities, including roles as a lawyer, advocate, legal consultant, or corporate counsel. With the country’s growing economy, the need for legal professionals continues to rise.

Enrolling in top law colleges in India equips students with a thorough understanding of legal concepts, preparing them for real-world applications. These colleges offer dynamic learning environments and strong career prospects, making them ideal for those pursuing a career in law.

In this article, we’ll explore the 30 best law colleges in India, selected based on comprehensive education, learning opportunities, and career outcomes. Whether you’re an undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral candidate, these institutions can help you achieve your career goals in law.

Law Universities in India Ranking

The Ministry of Education released the National Institutional Framework Ranking (NIRF) 2023 for law schools on June 5, 2023. These rankings are intended to promote quality and competitive excellence in higher educational institutions throughout India. The NIRF ranking system is widely recognized in India and is based on parameters that are grouped into various categories:

  1. Teaching
  2. Learning and Resources
  3. Research and Professional Practice
  4. Graduation Outcome
  5. Outreach and Inclusivity
  6. Perception.
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Here’s the NIRF 2023 Rankings for Top Law Colleges in India along with the types of law schools:

RankNameCityStateScoreType of Law School
1National Law School of India University (NLSIU)BangaloreKarnataka78.00National Law University (NLU)
2National Law University (NLU)DelhiDelhi73.96National Law University (NLU)
3Symbiosis Law SchoolPuneMaharashtra73.73Private Law School
4NALSAR University of LawHyderabadTelangana73.05National Law University (NLU)
5The West Bengal University of Juridical SciencesKolkataWest Bengal70.72State University
6Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)KharagpurWest Bengal67.27Technical Institution with Law
7Jamia Millia IslamiaNew DelhiDelhi63.62Central University
8Gujarat National Law University (GNLU)GandhinagarGujarat63.52National Law University (NLU)
9Siksha ‘O’ AnusandhanBhubaneswarOdisha63.47Private Law School
10National Law UniversityJodhpurRajasthan62.35National Law University (NLU)
11Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT)BhubaneswarOdisha61.55Private Law School
12Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)AligarhUttar Pradesh60.11Central University
13Lovely Professional UniversityPhagwaraPunjab57.57Private Law School
14Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical SciencesChennaiTamil Nadu55.41Private Law School
15National Law UniversityBhopalMadhya Pradesh54.28National Law University (NLU)
16Christ UniversityBangaloreKarnataka53.56Private University
17Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law UniversityLucknowUttar Pradesh53.23National Law University (NLU)
18Rajiv Gandhi National University of LawPatialaPunjab52.73National Law University (NLU)
19Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research AcademyThanjavurTamil Nadu51.87Private University
20Banaras Hindu UniversityVaranasiUttar Pradesh51.66Central University
21University of Petroleum & Energy StudiesDehradunUttarakhand50.18Private University
22National University of Study & Research in LawRanchiJharkhand49.84National Law University (NLU)
23Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha UniversityNew DelhiDelhi49.43State University
24National Law University & Judicial AcademyKamrupAssam49.27National Law University (NLU)
25National Law UniversityCuttackOdisha48.81National Law University (NLU)
26Army Institute of LawMohaliPunjab47.68Military Institution
27Amity UniversityGurgaonHaryana46.93Private Law School
28Sikkim Government Law CollegeGangtokSikkim45.92State Government College
29Indian Law InstituteNew DelhiDelhi45.40Private Law School
30Punjab UniversityChandigarhPunjab45.21State University

Types of Law Schools in India

  1. National Law Universities (NLU): These are premier law schools in India that provide specialized legal education. Examples include NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, and NALSAR Hyderabad.
  2. Private Law Schools: These are privately run institutions that offer legal education, often featuring a varied curriculum. Examples are Symbiosis Law School and Lovely Professional University.
  3. State Universities: These universities provide law programs at the state level, focusing significantly on local legal needs. Examples include The West Bengal University of Juridical Sciences and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.
  4. Central Universities: These institutions receive government funding and offer law programs in various specializations. Examples are Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University.
  5. Technical Institutions with Law: Some technical colleges incorporate law into their interdisciplinary studies. An example is IIT Kharagpur.
  6. Military Institutions: Institutions like the Army Institute of Law serve military personnel and their families. An example is the Army Institute of Law Mohali.

These rankings and categories provide a comprehensive look at the top law schools across India, and help you understand the diversity in law education offerings.

5 Best Private Law Colleges in India

Here is the list of the top 5 private law colleges in India, among the many new and emerging ones in our country:

Name Courses Offered 
Symbiosis Law School, Pune LLB, BBA LLB (Hons.), LLM, UG Diploma Courses
ILS Law College, Pune PG Diploma, Certificate, LLM, LLB, BA LLB
Bharati Vidyapeeth New Law College, Pune PG Diploma, Certificate, LLM, LLB, BA LLB, UG Diploma
School of Law, Christ University, BangaloreBA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM, M Phil, PhD
Army Institute of Law, MohaliBA LLB, LLM

Top 5 Government Law Colleges in India

Here is a list of the top 5 government law colleges in India, which are extremely renowned and reliable to get your law career on track and running:

Name Courses Offered 
National Law School of India University, BangaloreBA LLB, LLM, MPP, MBL, PG Diploma
National Law University, New DelhiBA LLB, LLM 
NALSAR University of Law, HyderabadLLM, BA LLB
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata BA LLB (Hons,), BSc. LLB, LLM, M. Phil, PhD, LLD
Indian Institute of Technology, KharagpurLLM, LLB

Best Law Colleges in India: Admission Eligibility

In India, several prestigious law colleges offer high-quality legal education. The eligibility criteria for admission may vary from college to college. Some of the common requirements are:

1. Educational Qualification:

To apply for (LLB), the applicant must have completed higher secondary school. Or some equivalent degree from a recognized board. The candidate must have a minimum aggregate of 45-50% marks. For LLM, candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree in law. This too should be from a recognized university. Along with this a minimum aggregate of 50-55% marks.

2. Age Limit:

There is no age limit for admission to law courses.

3. Entrance Exam:

Most of the law colleges in India require candidates to clear an entrance exam. Namely, CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), AILET (All India Law Entrance Test), LSAT (Law School Admission Test), AILET (All India Law Entrance Test examination) conducted by the National Law University, Delhi every year, DU LLB. The entrance exams are to test the candidate’s knowledge of English, Mathematics, General Knowledge, and Legal Aptitude.

4. Personal Interview:

Some colleges may also conduct personal interviews. This is to assess the candidate’s communication skills and overall personality.

Best Law Colleges Specialisations in India

The field of law offers a wide range of specializations for students to choose from. Some of the specializations offered by the best law colleges in India include:

1. Corporate Law:

This specialization deals with the legal aspects of running a business. It includes corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance.

2. Intellectual Property Law:

This specialization deals with the legal aspects of protecting intellectual property. Like, patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

3. Criminal Law:

This specialization deals with the legal aspects of criminal activity. Especially, criminal procedure, evidence, and criminal defence.

4. Constitutional Law:

This specialization deals with the legal aspects of the Constitution. Such as the rights and freedoms of citizens, the separation of powers, and the role of the judiciary.

5. Environmental Law:

This specialization deals with the legal aspects of environmental protection. Specifically, pollution control, natural resource management, and climate change.

6. Human Rights Law:

This specialization deals with the legal aspects of protecting human rights. Particularly, civil liberties, political rights, and social and economic rights.

7. International Law:

This specialization deals with the legal aspects of international relations. Namely, international trade, international human rights, and international dispute resolution.

8. Taxation Law:

This specialization deals with the legal aspects of taxation. Namely, income tax, corporate tax, and goods and services tax.

Each specialization requires a specific set of skills and knowledge. Students can choose a specialization based on their interests and career goals.

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Best Law Colleges Entrance Exams in India

Law college entrance exams are gateways to the best law schools in India which are as follows:

Entrance ExamConducted ByPrograms OfferedTop CollegesWhy It’s Best
CLATConsortium of National Law Universities (NLUs)5-year integrated BA LLB, LLMAll National Law Universities (NLUs)Widely recognized and accepted across India
AILETNational Law University (NLU), DelhiBA LLB (Hons), LLMNLU DelhiExclusive to NLU Delhi, one of the top law schools
LSAT IndiaLaw School Admission Council (LSAC)Undergraduate and postgraduate law programsJindal Global Law School, UPES, and other participating institutionsAccepted by multiple top-tier law schools
SETSymbiosis International UniversityBA LLB, BBA LLBSymbiosis Law School, PuneAdmission to Symbiosis, one of the best private law schools
DU LLBUniversity of Delhi3-year LLBFaculty of Law, Delhi UniversityPrestigious law programs at Delhi University
BHU UETBanaras Hindu University5-year integrated BA LLBFaculty of Law, BHUAdmission to one of India’s most respected universities
MH CET LawState Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra5-year integrated LLB, 3-year LLBVarious law colleges in MaharashtraMajor state-level law exam for top law colleges in Maharashtra
AP LAWCETAndhra University5-year integrated LLB, 3-year LLBLaw colleges in Andhra PradeshPrimary law exam for law colleges in Andhra Pradesh

Best Law Colleges with Placements in India

Students can assess the Return on Investment (ROI) to gauge the value of a particular course. ROI offers a clear view of the benefits of enrolling in a course by emphasizing the potential returns. When it comes to popular programs, evaluating the ROI while choosing a college or university can be extremely helpful, especially when deciding among several institutions. Below is a table featuring the top Law colleges in India, along with their average annual fees and typical placement packages:

College NameTotal Tuition FeeAverage Salary Package
NUJS KolkataINR 3.66 lakhINR 20 LPA
NALSAR University of LawINR 7.75 lakhINR 16 LPA
NLIU BhopalINR 7.30 lakhINR 16 LPA
NLSIU BangaloreINR 13.45 lakhINR 16 LPA
GNLU GandhinagarINR 6 lakhINR 16 LPA

These figures reflect a general overview of tuition fees and salary packages, but it’s important to verify current details directly from the respective law schools as these numbers may fluctuate slightly over time.

Best Law Colleges Top Recruiters in India

The best law colleges in India attract top recruiters from various sectors. Namely, law firms, corporate houses, government organizations, and non-governmental organizations.

Some of the top recruiters for law graduates from the best law schools in India include:

1. Law Firms

Top law firms recruit law graduates from the best law colleges in India. Like:

  1. Amarchand Mangaldas
  2. AZB & Partners
  3. Khaitan & Co
  4. J Sagar Associates
  5. Luthra & Luthra

2. Corporate Houses

A few of the leading companies recruit law graduates. It includes:

  1. Tata Group
  2. Reliance Industries
  3. Infosys
  4. Wipro
  5. ICICI Bank

3. Government Organisations

Various government organizations recruit law graduates from the best law colleges. Namely:

  1. Ministry of Law and Justice
  2. National Human Rights Commission
  3. National Commission for Women
  4. National Green Tribunal

4. Judiciary

Law graduates from the best law colleges in India can also opt for a career in the judiciary. They can appear for the judicial services examination. Such exams are conducted by various state public service commissions.

5. NGOs

NGOs such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Greenpeace recruit law graduates from the best law colleges in India.

The best law colleges in India have a strong alumni network. This can help students secure placements with top recruiters. These colleges also provide career counselling and placement support. All this can help students achieve their career goals.

Conclusion

When evaluating the top law colleges in India, important factors include the quality of faculty, campus facilities, placement success, and overall prestige. Notable institutions include NLSIU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, and NALSAR Hyderabad, as well as private universities like Jindal Global Law School. Prospective students typically need to take entrance exams such as the CLAT and LSAT-India to secure admission to their preferred law schools. Ultimately, choosing the right college should align with one’s career goals, ensuring a solid foundation for a successful legal career. Furthermore, aspects like an alumni network, international partnerships, curriculum design, moot court experience, and collaborations with industry are also essential considerations.

Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q1. What are the Best Law Colleges in India through CLAT?

Ans. Some of the colleges that admit students through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) are:
1. National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore.
2. National Law University (NLU), Delhi.

Q2. What are the Best Law Colleges in India for a 3-year LLB?

Ans. Several top law colleges in India offer a 3-year LLB program. Some of the best law colleges in India are:
1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
2. Faculty of Law, Delhi University, Delhi.
3. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
4. Indian Law Society’s Law College, Pune.

Q3. Which Law entrance tests are required for admissions to Top Law Colleges in India?

Ans. The entrance varies depending on the college and the program. Here are some of the most common entrance tests:
1. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test).
2. AILET (All India Law Entrance Test).
3. LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
4. SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test).
5. Christ University Law Entrance Test.
6. BHU UET (Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test).

Q4. How to get admission to the Top NLU in India?

Ans. Getting admission to a top (NLU) in India is highly competitive. It requires a combination of academic excellence and performance in entrance exams. You mainly need to take the exam and do well. Along with this you also need to prepare for the interview. Also remember to focus on academic excellence, and to get involved in extracurricular activities.

Q5. Which state university is best for law in India?

Ans. India has several state universities that offer excellent law programs. Here are some of the best state universities for law in India:
1. National Law University, Delhi.
2. West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences.
3. National Law University, Jodhpur.
4. Gujarat National Law University.
5. Hidayatullah National Law University, among others.

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